Flu shots

kookycats

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Went to Walgreens this morning and got our flu and pneumonia shots. Was going to get the shingles shot but our insurance doesn't cover that one and it would have cost $219. We're escaped shingles this far so we'll take our chances. The flu is the important one and we get it every year.
 

catlover19

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I haven't seen anything about the flu shot clinics here yet, but I will be getting it. My husband and 2 year old will too.
 

betsygee

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I've never got a flu shot before but I think I will this year.  Last year I had an absolutely miserable bout of flu--maybe I can avoid this year's strains.
 

pinkdagger

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I don't think I've gotten a flu shot, or any shot for that matter in over ten years.
 

Willowy

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I never have gotten a flu shot, probably never will.

I'm not sure I've ever gotten influenza. I've had nasty colds, possible flu-like symptoms. . .but I don't think it's ever been actual influenza. I guess you can't really know that without going to the doctor and getting tested, though.
 
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peaches08

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It's required where I work (or you have to wear a facemask), but I really get it for my own health.  The flu can kill.
 

muffy

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I'll be getting my flu shot in a few weeks when I go to my pain doctor. I also want to get the shingles shot. My insurance will not pay for it either and I was told last year it cost $200.00 at Safeway. I'm going to go ahead and get it this year. I hear shingles is really painful and I don't want to take my chances. I have so much pain now I don't think I could bear anymore.

Ellen
 

catlover19

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It's required where I work (or you have to wear a facemask), but I really get it for my own health.  The flu can kill.
My doctor's office makes you wear a mask if you don't get your flu shot. I was confused the first time I walked in and saw a bunch of people in the waiting room wearing masks.
 

Willowy

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My doctor's office makes you wear a mask if you don't get your flu shot. I was confused the first time I walked in and saw a bunch of people in the waiting room wearing masks.
LOL, that's kind of silly, even people who got the flu shot could still get the flu if exposed to a different strain than they were vaccinated for. They really should have everyone wear a mask if they're so concerned.
 

catsallaround

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LOL, that's kind of silly, even people who got the flu shot could still get the flu if exposed to a different strain than they were vaccinated for. They really should have everyone wear a mask if they're so concerned.
Reminds me when my cat was in the hospital for diabetic issues and they told me he would have to stay with the dogs as he was not vaccinated...My response to that was ok since I do not know for sure all the cats in there are Felv -.  They stuck him in with the cats anyways. 

The pregnancy clinic I went to had gloves and masks for anyone sick and that really made me rethink the entire thing.  How many will actually use it when they are sick?  There was an obviously sick lady and nothing was said.  And few days later I was sick...I catch everything anyways:(
 

peaches08

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The pregnancy clinic I went to had gloves and masks for anyone sick and that really made me rethink the entire thing.  How many will actually use it when they are sick?  There was an obviously sick lady and nothing was said.  And few days later I was sick...I catch everything anyways:(
We fight this with contact precautions like MRSA too.  It depends on the hospital/clinic as far as enforcing the use of prophylactics, but I've still seen people be belligerent about it and simply not wear what's needed. 
 

catsallaround

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Disturbing to me as there is NO RISK at all with gloves/mask/gown(short of what eating them?:p).  And it is not bring your own.  People in other countries buy their own masks.  I imagine a lot is people not wanting to look odd but when there is signs everywhere in the waiting room and it is gone over with you at initial visit it makes you wonder.  Considering we were all in same boat of growing a baby and trying to do it healthy as possible.
 

Draco

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I get the flu shot every year. I only missed one year because I wasn't allowed with my surgery and RAI treatments.
 

stewball

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I'll be getting my flu shot in a few weeks when I go to my pain doctor. I also want to get the shingles shot. My insurance will not pay for it either and I was told last year it cost $200.00 at Safeway. I'm going to go ahead and get it this year.
I hear shingles is really painful and I don't want to take my chances. I have so much pain now I don't think I could bear anymore.

Ellen
it's so unlikely that you'd get shinglea. When did they come out with an injection for it. It is painful but not earth shattering so.
 

stewball

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I've never had a flu injection and don't intend to start now even if I just turned 7.
 

david's steph

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I've never had a flu injection and don't intend to start now even if I just turned 70.
I'm with you Stewball, no way.  My mom years ago had this shot, her arm swelled up all pink and puffy with a horrible reaction (we took photos of it, ugh), I have known people to become sick after getting the shot, no way, at 44 years old I have never NOT gotten over a sickness/flu/cold from my own body's immune system (and lots of sleep, juices, good broths/soups/liquids, vegetables, fruits, rest, time, rest, sleep, fluids, etc..)
 

catapault

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If you ever had chickenpox you can get shingles. It did not disappear when you recovered. The virus remains in your body.

Shingles might merely make you miserable. OR Shingles can be brutal. Depends on how severe your reaction is and also where the outbreak shows up on your body. Once you have shingles the vaccine would not be of any help. It must be given beforehand.

Your choice. Want to buy a lottery ticket?
 

peaches08

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If you ever had chickenpox you can get shingles. It did not disappear when you recovered. The virus remains in your body.

Shingles might merely make you miserable. OR Shingles can be brutal. Depends on how severe your reaction is and also where the outbreak shows up on your body. Once you have shingles the vaccine would not be of any help. It must be given beforehand.

Your choice. Want to buy a lottery ticket?
Hmmm.  The CDC says it might help if you have had an occurrence of shingles before:  http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/shingles/vacc-need-know.htm.  It's still kind of new, so I don't know.  I've had shingles twice and I'm only 39, so it can happen to the younger crowd too.  I'm considering coughing up the expense of the shot since it is so contagious.
 

denice

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Hmmm.  The CDC says it might help if you have had an occurrence of shingles before:  http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/shingles/vacc-need-know.htm.  It's still kind of new, so I don't know.  I've had shingles twice and I'm only 39, so it can happen to the younger crowd too.  I'm considering coughing up the expense of the shot since it is so contagious.
Two people here are the only ones I have actually heard of having shingles.  No one that I know personally has had it.  Viruses are so strange.  I had Bell's Palsy and have some residual numbness from it.  The theory of that is a virus getting into the facial nerve causing swelling.  I got it in the summer and had not been sick in the time before it started.  Of course I may have had a virus with no symptoms.

I haven't had a flu shot since I got out of the military in 1984.  I have had the flu twice since. both times I did get it pretty bad.   I am 58 now so I probably should start getting the flu shot again.  Things hit harder and take longer to get over than when I was younger.
 
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